isabelle blanc tourane corbière-nicollier suren erkman

Swiss bioethanol supply in 2010

50% domestic production versus 100% importation from Brazil

What are the sustainability issues of these two scenarios for Switzerland?

Isabelle BlancTourane Corbière-NicollierSuren Erkman

Issues of bioethanol production in Switzerland

• Is production in Switzerland possible and justifiable ?• Which is the most suitable production option (ligno-

cellulosic, wheat…) ?• In which socio-economic and legal framework ?• Does domestic production contribute significantly to the

Swiss energetic independency ?

Importation issue: What are/should be the quality requirements for imported bioethanol ?

Two scenarios

Swiss consumption: 200 millions liters/year (2010). Corresponds to 5% bioethanol in petrol 95 octans.

• Scenario 1 : Switzerland produces 100 millions liters and imports 100 millions liters from Brazil.

• Scenario 2 : Switzerland imports 200 millions liters from Brazil.

Scenario 1: 50% 50%CH Scenario 2: 100% Brazil

Cultivation potatoes, beet, cereals, wood Sugar cane cultivation

Transport Transport

Ethanol plant Ethanol plant

Transport Transatlantic transport

Warehouse

Petrol station

ARE approach: criteria -> indicators

Illustration: socio-economic criteria, employment and income

• Eco 3a (number of jobs)

Issue: What is the effect on employment?

• Eco 3b (income distribution)

Issue: In which measure do the local farmers benefit from the bioethanol production?

http://www.are.admin.ch/are/fr/nachhaltig/beurteilen/index.html

Social synthesis

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

Soc-1a Foodsuppply

Soc-2a Incomedistribution (inequity)

Soc-3a Riskshealth, security

Soc-6a Rights(undeclared workers)

Soc-7a Poverty(malnutrition)

Scenario 1 (50%-50%)

Scenario 2 (100% Brazil)

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

Soc-1a Foodsuppply

Soc-2a Incomedistribution (inequity)

Soc-3a Riskshealth, security

Soc-6a Rights(undeclared workers)

Soc-7a Poverty(malnutrition)

Scenario 1 (50%-50%)

Scenario 2 (100% Brazil)

Social synthesisReliability: 9/10

Relevance: 8/10

Reliability: 5/10

Relevance: 9/10

Reliability: 5/10

Relevance: 9/10

Reliability: 5/10

Relevance: 5/10

Reliability: 8/10

Relevance: 6/10

Economic synthesis

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

Eco-1a Profitability

Eco-2b Innovation

(Switzerland)

Eco-3a EmploymentEco-3b Incomedistribution

Eco-3c Income(ethanol/classical)

Scenario 1 (50%-50%)Scenario 2 (100% Brazil)

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

Eco-1a Profitability

Eco-2b Innovation

(Switzerland)

Eco-3a EmploymentEco-3b Income

distribution

Eco-3c Income(ethanol/classical)

Scenario 1 (50%-50%)Scenario 2 (100% Brazil)

Economic synthesis

Reliability: 7/10Relevance: 8/10





Environmental synthesis (LCA results)

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

Env-3c Soil consumption

Env-1b Erosion

Env-3a Primary non Renewable energy

Env-4a Greenhouse gas effects

Env-4b Human health (resp.)

Env-4c Soil acidification

Env-4d Aquatic acidification

Env-4e Aquatic euthrophisation

Scenario 1 (50% 50%)

Scénario 2 (100% Brésil)

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

Env-3c Soil consumption

Env-1b Erosion

Env-3a Primary non Renewable energy

Env-4a Greenhouse gas effects

Env-4b Human health (resp.)

Env-4c Soil acidification

Env-4d Aquatic acidification

Env-4e Aquatic euthrophisation

Scenario 1 (50% 50%)

Scénario 2 (100% Brésil)

Environmental synthesis (LCA results)









Synthesis

• Social aspects clearly worse for scenario 2 (100% importation): income inequity, health, nutrition, work conditions. Only better for soil use.

• Economical aspects better for the Brazilian production pathway: sugar cane productivity, process efficiency.

• Environmental aspects: favorable for energetical and greenhouse gas point of view, unfavorable for soil and water pollution.

isabelle blanc tourane corbière-nicollier suren erkman

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